Predicting the Eastern Conference standings: Where will the Pacers finish?

6. Miami Heat

At #6, we have the Miami Heat. This is the only non-playoff team from last season that crept into the postseason in these predictions, booting their fellow Florida natives in the Orlando Magic back to the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery.

Jimmy Butler came to South Beach this summer via a 4 team sign-and-trade deal. For the Heat, this is clearly a major piece to add to the mix. Butler should be a definite all-star in his alpha dog role with the Heat, leading them to several victories. Meyers Leonard is now in Miami as well, who will be a nice addition if he continues his high level of play from the postseason.

Losing Josh Richardson hurts Miami, however. One of the more underrated guys in the NBA, Richardson was the most dangerous player on the court for the Heat a year ago. Butler is basically better in every way, but his addition isn’t quite as massive as it might seem in Richardson’s absence.

Hassan Whiteside is gone now too, which isn’t a huge loss on paper, but will still take the team some time to adjust to. However, third year center Bam Adebayo can now have full reign of the starting 5 position, which could be huge in his ongoing development. Expect this to be a team you have to take very seriously in the coming year.